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'Things have changed' - Nuremberg Christmas market kicks off with traditional prologue amid heightened security

'Things have changed' - Nuremberg Christmas market kicks off with traditional prologue amid heightened security

"One of Germany's oldest and most iconic Christmas markets opened on Friday with the traditional prologue of the Nuremberg Christ Child, welcoming thousands of visitors amid heightened security. Footage shows 16-year-old Christ Child Nora Falk delivering the ceremonial prologue as visitors poured into the market's narrow alleys lined with wooden stalls. Police officers can also be seen guarding entrance points, blocked off with plastic bollards. "Yes, [it] makes a little concern because of the years. There are some kinds of attacks, but you feel safe here in Nuremberg. Think the situation here is different, a visitor from Brazil remarked, referring to previous car-ramming attacks at Christmas markets. "Police presence is more of a reminder that security is needed," another added. "But once you're inside, you naturally feel safe. And I think you also have to ignore that to a certain extent and simply accept that things have changed a bit." Germany's Christmas markets, one of the country's major tourist attractions, are grappling with rising security costs. A survey by the Federal Association of City and Town Marketing reported that the cost of holding such events has jumped 44 percent over three years, with security measures being a major cost driver. The Nuremberg Christmas market will run until December 24."